The New Zeibekiko - Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Current Composer-in-Residence John Psathas’s latest piece The New Zeibekiko, is being performed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Greek traditional musicians flown over especially for the concert, as part of the 2011 Auckland Arts Festival. This is a work that bridges the gaps between contrasting worlds: Greece/New Zealand; tradition/modernity; folkloric musicians/classical musicians. These apparent contradictions are examined, resolved, and left to linger in this work named for the Greek zeibekiko dance.

“Sacred, profane and thrilling, this is a powerful musical odyssey,” Psathas says, “bringing together living practitioners of mystical, musical arts with the rich vibrancy of today’s symphony orchestra.”